Table Talks with the Tares
Husband and wife duo MJ & Ash believe honest self-reflection is a critical component in growth. Listen in on their conversations as they process what their words and actions are currently cultivating in their home, work, relationships, and ministry.
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Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
We just celebrated 10 years of marriage with a cabin trip… and brought all three kids along. 😅 It was a blast and also a little reality check. We’re debriefing what we expected vs. what actually happened, where we maybe overshot things for this season, and how we’re learning to adjust expectations so they match real life with littles. If you’ve ever tried to make something special happen and ended up equal parts grateful and exhausted, you’ll feel this one.
Resources mentioned:
Tim Keller Sermon: https://podcast.gospelinlife.com/e/the-power-of-jesus/
https://a.co/d/03uUlTsX
https://a.co/d/04lV5RnT
Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/137-have-kids-early-and-often-what-i-think-about-that/id1661247515?i=1000721492279
Table Talks with the Tares: where we explore how to close the gap between what we intend and what we do, one honest conversation at a time.
Visit our website: http://www.honestunderscore.com.
Join our monthly newsletter for a curated blend of exclusive leadership insights, personal reflections, and resource releases delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter!
For questions, please email us at hello@honestunderscore.com.
Monday Mar 30, 2026
Monday Mar 30, 2026
Everyone says they need more margin, but who actually takes time to create it? In this conversation, we talk about how stacking small habits has helped us build rhythms that create real buffer in our lives. Not perfectly, but enough to breathe, rest, be present with our kids, and show up for others without feeling constantly maxed out. If your life feels full to the brim, this one might give practical insight for one small step to take in carving out buffer.
Resources mentioned:
https://a.co/d/0dEzCjNc
Not mentioned in this episode but a good read on this topic:
https://a.co/d/09d8smm9
Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/153-why-running-without-margin-always-catches-up-to-you/id1661247515?i=1000739111663
Table Talks with the Tares: where we explore how to close the gap between what we intend and what we do, one honest conversation at a time.
Visit our website: http://www.honestunderscore.com.
Join our monthly newsletter for a curated blend of exclusive leadership insights, personal reflections, and resource releases delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter!
For questions, please email us at hello@honestunderscore.com.
Monday Mar 23, 2026
Monday Mar 23, 2026
We’re talking about how love and respect land differently in marriage and how that showed up in a recent conflict for us. Turns out, it’s not just what you say but how you say it that matters too. We unpack how tone, timing, and delivery can completely change the message, and what we’re learning about speaking in a way so the other person feels respected. Based on a recent conversation we had, you’re welcome to take a seat at the table!
Resources mentioned:
Book: https://a.co/d/05HbN4NS
Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/166-that-is-not-my-job-relationship-expectations-10-years-in/id1661247515?i=1000752481369
Table Talks with the Tares: where we explore how to close the gap between what we intend and what we do, one honest conversation at a time.
Visit our website: http://www.honestunderscore.com.
Join our monthly newsletter for a curated blend of exclusive leadership insights, personal reflections, and resource releases delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter!
For questions, please email us at hello@honestunderscore.com.
Monday Mar 16, 2026
Monday Mar 16, 2026
In this episode, we talk about the tension of speaking truthfully while still speaking lovingly, especially when dealing with people who have narcissistic tendencies. We share some of what we’ve learned through living with Gram and navigating those dynamics day to day. It’s an honest conversation about compassion, speaking truthfully but lovingly, and how we try to hold both at the same time.
Resources mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sOw80NVm3g
Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-119-how-to-avoid-getting-sucked-into-a/id1661247515?i=1000702501261
Table Talks with the Tares: where we explore how to close the gap between what we intend and what we do, one honest conversation at a time.
Visit our website: http://www.honestunderscore.com.
Join our monthly newsletter for a curated blend of exclusive leadership insights, personal reflections, and resource releases delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter!
For questions, please email us at hello@honestunderscore.com
Monday Mar 09, 2026
Monday Mar 09, 2026
It’s crazy how two people can live the same parenting moment and have totally different instincts. In this episode, we talk about how our differences show up in real time especially with ADHD in the mix. From structure vs. spontaneity to handling everyday chaos, we unpack where our approaches complement each other and where we think, “Wait… you’re doing what?”
Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/160-how-were-building-health-habits-that-actually-stick/id1661247515?i=1000745729960
Table Talks with the Tares: where we explore how to close the gap between what we intend and what we do, one honest conversation at a time.
Visit our website: http://www.honestunderscore.com.
Join our monthly newsletter for a curated blend of exclusive leadership insights, personal reflections, and resource releases delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter!
For questions, please email us at hello@honestunderscore.com.
Monday Mar 02, 2026
Monday Mar 02, 2026
Why do we hesitate to ask for help and how do we know if we’re actually showing up well in our roles as husband, wife, mom, or dad? In this episode, we put those questions on the table. We talk through expectations we carry, the reality of limited capacity, and how we’re learning to meet each other’s needs without keeping score. It’s an honest conversation about roles, communication, and working as a team instead of running on empty.
Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/164-married-to-your-financial-opposite-designer-versus/id1661247515?i=1000749958707
Table Talks with the Tares: where we explore how to close the gap between what we intend and what we do, one honest conversation at a time.
Visit our website: http://www.honestunderscore.com.
Join our monthly newsletter for a curated blend of exclusive leadership insights, personal reflections, and resource releases delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter!
For questions, please email us at hello@honestunderscore.com.
Monday Feb 23, 2026
Monday Feb 23, 2026
Ever notice how the same situation can feel completely different to two people? In this episode, we talk about how our differences don’t just come from personality but culture too. Growing up with NY and Filipino backgrounds means we often interpret conflict, respect, and even apologies in totally different ways. We unpack the Western justice/guilt framework vs. the honor/shame perspective common in many Eastern cultures, and how understanding this has helped us better understand each other.
Next episode recommended: Ep 18 Relationships: Speaking the Truth in Love, Individualism vs Collectivism
Table Talks with the Tares: where we explore how to close the gap between what we intend and what we do, one honest conversation at a time.
Visit our website: The Honest Underscore.
Join our monthly newsletter for a curated blend of exclusive leadership insights, personal reflections, and resource releases delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter!
For questions, please email us at hello@honestunderscore.com.
Monday Feb 16, 2026
Monday Feb 16, 2026
In this episode, we realized we don’t actually think about “stuff” the same way. One of us leans toward practicality… the other notices the brand. What is that really about? We talk through how status subtly pulls on us, how it shows up in purchases and preferences, and why certain things feel important even when we know they probably shouldn’t.
Resources mentioned:
Watch: Panthère de Cartier watch
Fresh Avocado Vine
Books:
You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit
The Overcomers: God's Vision for You to Thrive in an Age of Anxiety and Outrage
Funkin Park: Linkin Park's - Greatest Hits (If they were FUNK)
Next episode recommended: Ep 113 - Who should say sorry first? When honor/shame and justice/guilt cultures get married.
Table Talks with the Tares: where we explore how to close the gap between what we intend and what we do, one honest conversation at a time.
Visit our website: The Honest Underscore.
Join our monthly newsletter for a curated blend of exclusive leadership insights, personal reflections, and resource releases delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter!
For questions, please email us at hello@honestunderscore.com.
Monday Feb 09, 2026
Monday Feb 09, 2026
Valentine’s Day hits different when you’re sleep-deprived and surrounded by tiny humans! In this episode, we reflect on how love looked when we first started dating vs. what connection looks like now in a low capacity season. From shifting expectations to finding small moments that matter, we talk about how we keep choosing each other through every stage of life.
Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/154-controlling-the-controllables-and-a-shortcut/id1661247515?i=1000740203183
Table Talks with the Tares: where we explore how to close the gap between what we intend and what we do, one honest conversation at a time.
Visit our website: http://www.honestunderscore.com.
Join our monthly newsletter for a curated blend of exclusive leadership insights, personal reflections, and resource releases delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter!
For questions, please email us at hello@honestunderscore.com.
Monday Feb 02, 2026
Monday Feb 02, 2026
In this episode, we’re talking about our approach to homeschooling and why we’ve fallen in love with the Homeschool Made Simple method. It’s research-based, interest-led, and literature rich which has brought so much simplicity, freedom, and actual joy to our days.
Whether you're deep in homeschool life or just curious what it could look like, we’re pulling back the curtain on what’s worked, what’s surprised us, and how we’ve made learning a natural part of our family rhythm.
Resources mentioned:
Homeschool Made Simple: https://homeschoolmadesimple.net/
Homeschool Philosophy: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/212-homeschool-made-simple-educational-philosophy-in/id1506875183?i=1000654143902
Morning Rhythm Resources:
https://a.co/d/9R5IXQ4
https://a.co/d/evd1wem
Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/158-how-to-make-screen-time-a-non-issue-family-health-reset/id1661247515?i=1000743802873
Table Talks with the Tares: where we explore how to close the gap between what we intend and what we do, one honest conversation at a time.
Visit our website: http://www.honestunderscore.com.
Join our monthly newsletter for a curated blend of exclusive leadership insights, personal reflections, and resource releases delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter!
For questions, please email us at hello@honestunderscore.com.